Every year on April 13 or 14, Sikhs around the world gather at their places of worship, known as Gurdwaras. The festival honors the day that marks the beginning of the Khalsa, otherwise known as Sikhism, 530 years ago.
At the Fremont Gurdwara, people came together to commemorate this sacred event through bhangra and gatka—traditional Punjabi dance accompanied by sword fighting—classic sweet and savory dishes, daylong prayers as an honor to the religion, and booths selling artisanal goods.
Right at the temple’s entrance are vivid lights and tents set up with what feels like endless tables plated with Punjabi cuisine. It ranges from gobi manchurian-deep-fried cauliflower covered in sweet & spicy sauce- to laddus- sweets consisting of flour, butter, sugar, and cardamom.
“Vaisakhi for us brings people together. We get to share our culture with everyone through free food, dancing, and overall traditions,” community member Vicky Aulakh said. “Everyone enjoys, celebrates, and brings about such a welcoming environment.”
Later in the evening, the Gurdwara was surrounded by people witnessing traditional Indian dancing and fighting, known as bhangra and gatka, performed by professional groups from across the Bay. Dressed in mainly royal blue and orange, colors representative of the Sikh people, men performed elaborate dance moves such as backflips with shining swords, impressing a lively crowd that cheered them on.
Another attendee, Jagdev Singh, commented on the creativity this event offers. “I believe Vaisakhi offers people, such as these performers, to go all out,” Singh said. “Anyone can express themselves, whether through dance, fighting, the traditional attire, whatever. That’s what makes this all the more memorable.”
Lastly, many gathered in a quiet moment of prayer, taking this special day as an opportunity to wish for the good fortune of themselves and others. Meanwhile, some were also occupied with providing volunteer service to attendees by giving langar, or free food, to those in need. These individuals are known as sevadars.
One attendee, Mohinder Boparai, expressed her contentment at the selflessness of the community. “I’ve lived a long life. And one thing I love about this culture is the willingness to give,” Boparai said. “It’s a key principle of our people to give, and it warms my heart because at the end of the day, we’re all human, and we should all help each other whenever we can.”
Gurdwaras across the Bay host similar events open to all annually on April 13 and 14, usually lasting the whole day. With such a diverse and welcoming atmosphere, they tend to attract many attendees every year.
